Red Sox sign infielder Ryan Roberts

To make room for Roberts on the 25-man roster, the club optioned infielder Brock Holt to Triple-A Pawtucket, and made room for Roberts on the 40-man roster by transferring right-handed pitcher Steven Wright to the 60-day disabled list.

The club signed Roberts to fill in at third base with Will Middlebrooks on the 15-day disabled list as of Sunday with a strained calf.

Roberts played 18 spring training games with the Chicago Cubs last month before getting released.

In 2013, Roberts batted .247 in 162 at-bats with six doubles, five homers, 17 RBIs over 60 games.

Holt, 25, returns to Pawtucket after getting called up for one game but he did not play. He is 4-for-11 with two doubles, two walks, three runs scored, and a stolen base in three games with Pawtucket this season.

Wright, 29, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on March 27 while recovering from right sports hernia surgery.